IEC 61300-2-42:2014

Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 2-42: Tests - Static side load for strain relief

IEC 61300-2-42:2014 specifies a test to determine the influence of a side load applied to a cord assembled with a strain relief. The intention is to simulate a static load, due to a length of fibre cable, which would typically be experienced during service. Components should withstand side loads during optical transmission without degradation of the optical performance. Besides a boot, any feature that controls the bending radius of the fibre can be considered as strain relief. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2005 and constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical change with respect to the previous edition: modification of the severity according to cable configurations. Keywords: side load, static load, optical performance, strain relief

Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs à fibres optiques - Procédures fondamentales d'essais et de mesures - Partie 2-42: Essais - Charge latérale statique pour serre-câble

IEC 61300-2-42:2014 spécifie un essai destiné à déterminer l'influence d'une charge latérale appliquée à un cordon assemblé comportant un serre-câble. L'intention est de simuler une charge statique exercée par une longueur de câble à fibres, que l'on rencontre généralement au cours d'utilisation. Il convient que les composants résistent aux charges latérales pendant toute transmission optique, sans dégradation des performances optiques. Outre un embout, tout dispositif permettant de contrôler le rayon de courbure de la fibre peut être considéré comme un serre-câble. Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition parue en 2005, et constitue une révision technique. La présente troisième édition contient les modifications techniques significatives suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente: la modification de la sévérité selon les configurations du câble. Mots clés: charge latérale, charge statique, serre-câble

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 05-Feb-2014
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 33.180.20 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices
• Technical Committee: SC 86B - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components
• Drafting Committee: WG 4 - TC 86/SC 86B/WG 4
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 06-Feb-2014
• Completion Date: 28-Feb-2014

Relations

• Revises: IEC 61300-2-42:2005 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 2-42: Tests - Static side load for connectors
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

IEC 61300-2-42:2014 – Static Side Load Test for Fibre Optic Strain Relief

Overview

IEC 61300-2-42:2014 is an international standard under the IEC 61300 series that defines basic test and measurement procedures for fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components. Specifically, Part 2-42 focuses on the static side load test for strain relief in fibre optic cords. This test simulates the effects of a static lateral load-such as the weight of a length of fibre cable-on cord assemblies that include strain relief features. The goal is to ensure that components maintain stable optical performance under service-related static loads without degradation in transmission quality.

This third edition updates the previous 2005 version by modifying test severity criteria based on various cable configurations. It applies primarily to passive optical components that have fibre cable pigtails, where strain relief controls the bending radius to prevent excessive mechanical stress.

Key Topics

• Purpose of Test
  To evaluate how static side loads impact fibre optic cords with strain relief, ensuring that optical attenuation remains within acceptable limits.

• Strain Relief Features
  Includes boots or any structural elements designed to manage the fibre’s bending radius, protecting the fibre from mechanical damage.

• Test Setup and Apparatus

  • Load Generator: Applies a controlled mass load to the cable without inducing additional micro- or macro-bending losses.
  • Holding Fixture: Holds the device under test securely, simulating normal mounting conditions and allowing optical access.
  • Optical Source & Detector: Measure attenuation changes continuously or at regular intervals, following IEC 61300-3-4 specifications for optical testing.

• Test Procedure Highlights

  • Pre-conditioning specimens at standard test conditions.
  • Initial and final measurements of attenuation before, during, and after load application.
  • Gradual introduction of side load applied 20-30 cm from strain relief end.
  • Monitoring attenuation for stability and any degradation.

• Severity Levels
  Severity of applied load is adjusted according to the cable configuration to reflect realistic service scenarios, ensuring applicable and relevant testing.

• Compliance Requirements
  Devices must demonstrate robust optical performance with no significant increase in attenuation under static load, confirming reliability and integrity during service.

Applications

• Quality Assurance for Fibre Optic Components
  Manufacturers can verify that strain relief designs effectively protect fibre optic assemblies from static mechanical stresses.

• Product Development and Validation
  Allows engineers to assess new strain relief designs and materials for their ability to sustain optical performance under typical installation conditions.

• Service Reliability Testing
  Simulates real-world conditions where cable weight or strain might impose side loads, ensuring the longevity and durability of optical components.

• Standard Compliance Documentation
  Provides a recognized method for testing and certifying compliance with global quality standards in fibre optic passive components.

Related Standards

• IEC 61300-1: General guidance and fundamental test procedures for fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components.
• IEC 61300-3-1: Visual examination methods for fibre optic components.
• IEC 61300-3-3: Active monitoring of attenuation and return loss during mechanical and environmental stress tests.
• IEC 61300-3-4: Specific methods for measuring attenuation in fibre optic components used during tests like static side load.

Practical Insights

By adhering to IEC 61300-2-42:2014, manufacturers and testing laboratories ensure that their fibre optic passive components are resilient against static side loads that commonly occur during installation and operation. This prevents performance degradation caused by strain-induced bending losses, enhancing product reliability and customer satisfaction. Incorporating this standard into the design and testing process supports robust optical network infrastructure capable of maintaining high-quality signal transmission even under mechanical stress.

Keywords: fibre optic strain relief, static side load test, optical attenuation, IEC 61300-2-42, fibre optic passive components, optical performance, strain relief testing, fibre optic cable stress tests.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61300-2-42 ®
Edition 3.0 2014-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures –
Part 2-42: Tests – Static side load for strain relief

Dispositifs d’interconnexion et composants passifs à fibres optiques –
Procédures fondamentales d'essais et de mesures –
Partie 2-42: Essais – Charge latérale statique pour serre-câble

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IEC 61300-2-42 ®
Edition 3.0 2014-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and

measurement procedures –
Part 2-42: Tests – Static side load for strain relief

Dispositifs d’interconnexion et composants passifs à fibres optiques –

Procédures fondamentales d'essais et de mesures –

Partie 2-42: Essais – Charge latérale statique pour serre-câble

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX J
ICS 33.180.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-1378-0

– 2 – 61300-2-42 © IEC:2014
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references. 5
3 General description . 5
4 Apparatus . 5
4.1 Load generator . 5
4.2 Holding fixture . 6
4.3 Optical source and detector . 6
5 Procedure . 6
5.1 Preparation of specimens . 6
5.2 Pre-conditioning . 6
5.3 Initial measurements . 6
5.4 Conditioning . 6
5.5 Measure the attenuation . 7
5.6 Apply cable load . 7
5.7 Monitor attenuation . 7
5.8 Recovery . 7
5.9 Final measurements and examinations . 8
5.10 Repeated testing . 8
6 Severity . 8
7 Details to be specified . 9

Figure 1 – Test apparatus for static side load . 7

Table 1 – Severities . 8

61300-2-42 © IEC:2014 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
__________
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING
DEVICES AND PASSIVE COMPONENTS –
BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –

Part 2-42: Tests – Static side load for strain relief

FOREWORD
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patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61300-2-42 has been prepared by subcommittee 86B: Fibre optic
interconnecting devices and passive components, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2005 and constitutes a
technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical change with respect to the previous
edition:
– modification of the severity according to cable configurations.

– 4 – 61300-2-42 © IEC:2014
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
86B/3699/FDIS 86B/3721/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts of IEC 61300 series, published under the general title Fibre optic
interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and measurement
procedures, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
___________
This footnote only applies to the French title.

61300-2-42 © IEC:2014 – 5 –
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING
DEVICES AND PASSIVE COMPONENTS –
BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –

Part 2-42: Tests – Static side load for strain relief

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61300 specifies a test to determine the influence of a side load applied to a
cord assembled with a strain relief. The intention is to simulate a static load, due to a length of
fibre cable, which would typically be experienced during service. Components should withstand
side loads during optical transmission without degradation of the optical performance. Besides
a boot, any feature that controls the bending radius of the fibre can be considered as strain
relief.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
IEC 61300-1, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 1: General and guidance
IEC 61300-3-1, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-1: Examinations and measurements – Visual examination
IEC 61300-3-3, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-3: Examinations and measurements – Active monitoring of
changes in attenuation and return loss
IEC 61300-3-4, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-4: Examinations and measurements – Attenuation
3 General description
The specimen is inserted into the test apparatus as shown in Figure 1. A load, equivalent to
several metres of cable, is applied to the cable attached to the device under test and any
changes in optical attenuation are recorded during the specified period of the test.
NOTE This test is applicable only to those passive optical components where the product design incorporates fibre
cable pigtails.
4 Apparatus
4.1 Load generator
The load generator consists of a mass and a means of clamping the mass to the cable. The
clamping shall not introduce micro- or macro-bending losses in the cable.

– 6 – 61300-2-42 © IEC:2014
4.2 Holding fixture
The holding fixture consists of a means to hold the device under test in a stable and
representative manner. For connectors, the holding fixture shall incorporate an adaptor where
required. The holding fixture shall be capable of accommodating those devices where the input
and output fibre cables are co-located on the same side of the device.
4.3 Optical source and detector
The optical source and detector used to measure changes in attenuation shall comply with that
specified in IEC 61300-3-4.
A device to record attenuation over time (X, t) should be used where the optical detector does
not have the capability to monitor continuously (i.e. where the sample rate is <10/min).
5 Procedure
5.1 Preparation of specimens
Prepare the specimens according to the manufacturer’s instructions or as specified in the
relevant specification. The device under test shall be terminated with a sufficient length of fibre
cable to facilitate interfacing with the optical source and detector.
5.2 Pre-conditioning
Pre-condition the device under test for 2 h at the standard test conditions as given in
IEC 61300-1, unless otherwise specified in the relevant specification.
5.3 Initial measurements
Complete initial examinations and measurements on the specimen as required by the relevant
specification. Measure and record the attenuation of the device under test.
5.4 Conditioning
The body of the specimen shall be mounted in a representative manner onto the holding fixture
(see Figure 1). The clamp to which the load can be applied shall be fastened to the cable in
such a manner that the optical fibre or cable is not crushed. Unless otherwise specified, the
point of load application shall be 20 cm to 30 cm from the end of the strain relief.

61300-2-42 © IEC:2014 – 7 –
Holding fixture
Device under test
To optical
source
Strain relief
Clamping device
Cable
Load generator
To detector
Weights
IEC  0021/14
Figure 1 – Test apparatus for static side load
5.5 Measure the attenuation
Re-measure the attenuation to ensure that the fixturing and cable clamping have not affected
the cable's attenuation.
5.6 Apply cable load
Gradually apply the specified load to the cable clamping fixture, being careful to avoid any
sudden jerking or straining of the cable. Maintain the load for recommended duration (or as
specified in the relevant specification).
5.7 Monitor attenuation
The attenuation of the specimen shall be continuously monitored during the test, as described
in IEC 61300-3-3, unless otherwise specified in the relevant specification. Any deviation in the
device attenuation from that measured in 5.5 shall be considered attributable to the
cable/device interface, or fibre-to-fibre interfaces in the device.
If there are unacceptable changes in attenuation and it is questionable whether the cable itself
may be at fault, a control test to determine cable contribution should be performed in the same
manner using a piece of cable and two cable clamps.
5.8 Recovery
Allow the specimen to remain under standard test conditions for 2 h at the standard test
conditions as given in IEC 61300-1, unless otherwise specified in the relevant specification.
20 cm-30 cm
– 8 – 61300-2-42 © IEC:2014
5.9 Final mea
...